A member of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kenneth Okonkwo, on Wednesday declared that the defection of former presidential candidate, Peter Obi to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, won’t affect the party.
Okonkwo said ADC would win the 2027 presidential election and form the next government without Obi.
In an interview on Arise Television, Okonkwo said: “We are alive, kicking and we are going to form the next government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because we will win the 2027 election. The coalition is well, moving smoothly and we will overcome.
“You will recall that I once said I won’t speak for a man whom I don’t know his position on important national issues, I said I won’t speak for a man whom even if he wins and you give him your votes he does not have the capacity to secure his own victory, so the issue of saying whether the coalition will be affected, it will not be affected in anyway.”
Okonkwo accused Obi of changing three political parties within the last six months.
He added: “Peter Obi within six months changed parties three times. Since he defected to NDC I have not taken it serious or relevant because by December 30th, he was a member of Labour Party, December 1st he was a member of ADC; and by May 3rd he is a member of NDC.
“I’m sure that if not for the restriction in the Electoral Act, before the close of registration or membership time, he would be a member of another party.
“That is his nature but changing parties is not what questions your capacity, competence, or character. It’s the reason that you adduce for changing the party. Peter Obi said he had no problem with David Mark, meaning he didn’t have a problem with ADC; he said he didn’t have any problem with Atiku, meaning he has no problem with the aspirants.
“He said I don’t like challenges – ADC is going through challenges – legal and otherwise and I like to run away to where there is peace. And I now ask how can this same man ask Nigerians to entrust the country in his care when Nigeria is the most challenged country in the world today?”
